Man Wanted for Murder at Church

Los Angeles: Los Angeles police have issued a want for a 20-year-old implicated in the stabbing death of a 57-year-old resident at a local church in South Los Angeles.

The incident began around 9 AM this morning when the victim, a Black man who lived at the Church of the Greater Works, intervened when he saw Edwin Veliz Vasquez pulling the ear of Vasquez’s two-year-old son. The victim poured hot coffee on Vasquez and told him to stop hurting the child. When the victim walked into the kitchen to call police, Vasquez followed him and stabbed him with a knife.

The victim later died at a local hospital. The victim’s name was not released pending notification to his family.

Vasquez left the church on foot with his wife, Adela Ramirez, 21, and their two-year-old son. Ramirez is considered a person of interest whom detectives would like to interview.

Police found the knife at the scene.

Vasquez is 5 feet 5 inches tall and weighs 150 pounds. He has a tattoo of a star on his left arm.

Detectives will seek an arrest warrant for Vasquez. In the meantime, anyone knowing his whereabouts is urged to call the Newton Street Police Station or the LAPD’s toll-free hotline.

The church is located in the 500 block of East Washington Boulevard. The church has a residence for indigent families. Vasquez and his family had been living at the church for about two months.

Anyone with information is asked to call Newton Street Detectives at 323-846-6547. On weekends and during off-hours, call the 24-hour toll free number at 1-877-LAWFULL (1-877-529-3855).